Patrick Mahomes and John Franklin-Myers
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Denver Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers.
The NFL scouting combine served to showcase the array of young talent coming into the league in 2026 — it’s main purpose.
Its secondary purpose, however, served to show teams where help from rookies might be lacking and where they might need to get more laser-focused in free agency.
For Denver Broncos interior defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, that lack of rookie talent could be very, very good for his bottom line, with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler calling him the “Top Option” at his position in this cycle.
” … Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers could get a lot of interest,” Fowler wrote on Sunday. “(Franklin-Myers) has been attached to the $20 million threshold in conversations. (He is) a productive player hitting the market at the right time, without a ton of competition at the position. Whatever the number ends up being, it will be strong. Franklin-Myers’ floor is already pretty high.”
That means the 6-foot-4, 288-pound Franklin-Myers could very well end up exceeding the total amount he’s made playing for the Broncos the last 2 years — $15 million — within the 1st year of whatever contract he signs next.
Franklin-Myers Lands High on Free Agent Rankings
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal put the 29-year-old Franklin-Myers at No. 25 in his Top 101 2026 free agency rankings.
“It’s crazy to think the Rams cut Franklin-Myers after his rookie year,” Rosenthal wrote on Sunday. “Since then, he’s earned more than $40 million on two veteran contracts and is headed for a third. Defensive tackles are aging better than ever lately, and JFM’s old Jets friend Robert Saleh is a head coach again, in Tennessee. ”
ESPN’s Matt Bowen put Franklin-Myers at No. 11 on his list of the Top 50 NFL free agents in the 2026 cycle.
“Franklin-Myers lacks the lateral speed and bend to turn pressures into a bunch of sacks from edge alignments,” Bowen wrote on January 28. “But he’s an active inside rusher who can play as a defensive tackle or 5-technique with his 6-foot-4, 288-pound frame. He had 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures this season.”
Several NFC Contenders Could Be Perfect Fits
Fowler listed the San Francisco 49ers as a team to watch when it comes to Franklin-Myers in free agency, where he’d be paired next to NFL All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay thinks the best landing spot for Franklin-Myers would be with the reigning NFC North champion Chicago Bears.
Franklin-Myers has started 31 out of possible 33 regular-season games for the Broncos the last 2 seasons with 14.5 sacks, 14 TFL and a whopping 33 QB hits.
“If Chicago wants to build on that and remain a contender going forward, it must bolster the defensive front with talents such as Franklin-Meyers,” Kay wrote. “At 6’4″, 288 pounds, he can line up at both the defensive end and defensive tackle spots. That versatility, coupled with an unstoppable motor, allows him to thrive in whatever role he’s tasked with on a game-to-game or even play-by-play basis. Although the 29-year-old isn’t the youngest free agent, he still has plenty of tread left on his tires and shouldn’t have any issues continuing to contribute at a high level for the duration of the type of long-term deal he’s expected to sign this offseason.”